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Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Flounce Fire Burns 250 Acres Northeast of Shady Cove

ODF Southwest firefighters
worked throughout the night constructing fire line on the Flounce Fire, located
approximately 12 miles northeast of Shady Cove. The Flounce Fire was first reported
as two separate fires around 4:56 p.m. Monday. The main fire burned nearly 50
acres by sunset, and the two fires joined shortly after burning close to 200 acres
by midnight. The lightning-sparked fire is approximately 250 acres this morning.

As of
early this morning, a Level One (Be Ready) evacuation notice has been issued
by Jackson
County Emergency Management for residents on Evergreen Drive and Lewis
Road near Prospect. A citizen alert has already been sent to the homes impacted
by the notice. This is a precautionary measure, as we anticipate additional
thunderstorms this week. There is a potential for growth along the northeast
and northwest flanks of the fire; however, it is not anticipated to spread to
the south toward the homes currently under the evacuation order due to the
contingency line in place.

The topography ranges from moderate to
very steep. The rugged terrain was one of the primary challenges over the past
12 hours. Still, crews were able to get one mile of hose lay in place in order
to help control fire activity. Today, firefighters will continue to knock down
the active portions of the fire, as well as continue building control line
around the perimeter. Two Type One helicopters have been order for the fire, as
well as four Type Two helicopters, one Large Air Tanker (LAT) and one air
attack platform. Recon of the Flounce Fire is underway as of 9:00 a.m. this
morning

Along with Oregon Department of Forestry
crews from the Southwest Oregon District’s Medford and Grants Pass units, a
Rogue Valley Strike Team was activated. The strike team consists of structural
protection units from Jackson County Fire District 4, Jackson County Fire
District 5, Jackson County Fire District 3, Medford Fire-Rescue, Jacksonville
Fire and Ashland Fire-Rescue. Ten-man and 20-man crews are also on scene, and
several Oregon Department of Corrections inmate crews have arrived to assist
with fire line construction. In total, roughly 250 personnel are currently
working the fire with more resources on the way.

Weather conditions today call for
temperatures in the low 90’s, relative humidity is roughly 30 percent, and west
winds at 3 mph. A Red Flag Warning has been issued from noon to 10 p.m. with
abundant lightning in the forecast. With ODF Southwest Oregon District
resources already stretched thin, we are encouraging everyone to hold each
other responsible for following fire restrictions currently in place. Don’t let
your actions become a statistic.

The fire danger level on Oregon
Department of Forestry protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties is
“extreme” (red) today. For a full list of the public restrictions currently in
place, visit our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest
or our website: www.swofire.com.